Planning commission approves future land use change, recommends rezoning for Lincoln Rockland industrial project

The Hendersonville Planning Commission voted to change the future land-use designation for a 26-acre tract near Rockland Road from "destination recreational opportunity site" to "industrial flex" and recommended approval of a combined development plan (rezoning) for Lincoln Rockland.

The change, approved by a 7-0 roll call, was presented by Planning staff and economic development staffers as a response to shifting market conditions and prior changes to the Festival Center area. Timothy Whitten, lead planning staff, told commissioners the site is south of TNT Watersports and north of a railroad track and the White House utility treatment plant and that the developers propose two industrial buildings totaling about 255,000 square feet. Jay Ritterbeck, economic development and community planner, said the developer team has delivered a similar project elsewhere in the city and emphasized the scale of private investment they are proposing.

Commissioners discussed transportation and connectivity before voting. Commissioner Evans and others urged attention to the Rockland Road extension shown in the city's transportation plan and noted the developer's proposal would construct roughly 34% of the planned east–west collector through the Festival Center area. Concerns focused on traffic dispersion and the need for future road connections to reduce reliance on Highway 31/Main Street. Commissioner Slattery raised potential truck access and urged careful timing on heavy uses prior to the roadway improvements.

At the second vote, the commission considered the combined development plan (rezoning) that will go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA). Commissioners amended the permitted uses list to remove "brewery taproom" at the applicant's request. The planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning and development plan to BOMA with findings of fact referenced in staff comment number 1 and asked that the motion include the staff-listed findings. The recommendation passed 7-0.

Applicant representatives said they would dedicate right-of-way and build the portion of Rockland Road that runs through their acres, and they described lessons learned from a nearby Molly Walton industrial project. Staff noted that the proposed master plan will replace part of the old Festival Center master plan and that any remaining portions of the Festival Center plan will require later amendments to align with the new development.

The commission's action is a recommendation on zoning; final zoning approval will be decided by BOMA. The planning commission also required that any BOMA motion include the findings of fact listed in the staff report when forwarding the rezoning recommendation.